Paris St Germain (PSG) made a significant decision on Sunday by reinstating Kylian Mbappe into their first team. This comes after the French superstar was left out of the squad for the Ligue 1 season opener against Lorient, sparking rumors of a contract stand-off and his future with the club.
PSG began their title defence with a goalless draw against Lorient on Saturday, with Mbappe watching from the stands alongside new signing Ousmane Dembele. The absence of Mbappe raised eyebrows, further intensifying speculation regarding his relationship with the club.
Tensions between Mbappe and PSG have been escalating since the player announced his unwillingness to extend his contract beyond the 2023-24 season. This scenario potentially allows Mbappe to leave Paris as a free agent once his contract expires.
In a positive turn of events, PSG released a statement stating that Mbappe has been reinstated into the first-team training squad following “very constructive, positive talks” before the Lorient match. This reinstatement signals a temporary resolution to the disagreement between the parties involved.
Mbappe’s omission from PSG’s pre-season tour of Asia last month raised further questions about his future. The transfer window, closing on September 1, has fueled speculation about potential moves for several players, including Mbappe, who has reportedly attracted interest from various top clubs.
Nasser Al-Khelaifi, the president of PSG, has been assertive in his stance that Mbappe will not be allowed to leave on a free transfer. The club invested a substantial amount of money, 180 million euros ($196.99 million), to secure his signature.
Manager Luis Enrique expressed his hopes for a resolution and emphasized PSG’s previous success in resolving contract disputes with Mbappe. The club previously managed to secure a contract extension from the prolific forward after rejecting an offer from Real Madrid.
Looking ahead, PSG is set to face Toulouse in their next Ligue 1 fixture on Saturday, where fans will eagerly anticipate Mbappe’s return to the pitch.
